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Thoroughly confused-poly vs pvc!!!!!

Okay, I've read every post I can find on the subject on this forum and I'm no better off that at the outset.

It seems that poly vs pvc is a personal preference, no big reason not to use either. So I have a couple of questions about pulling with a vibratory plow.

Can you pull gentle curves and arcs with poly or pvc? Is the pvc likely to break? Is it a must that either be pulled straight?

Is it more common to pull completely straight and just use fittings and right angles only?

Is there a practical maximum length to pull (3/4 acre yard)? If pulling pvc, what do you do, stop pulling every 20 feet and glue another section on? Honestly, I'm paranoid about the glued joints giving way while pulling!

And lastly, whereintheheck can I get poly pipe in quantity in the Richmond Va area? All the supply houses just tell me "oh, I never heard of anyone using poly around here, only down at the beach", so the only place I can find it is at Lowes and only 160psi at 1". And I understand that 160psi is intended for constant pressure, no?

In Colorado, I've only pulled poly pipe(80# to 100#) for residential systems. 99% of residential systems here are poly.

Don't use the poly pipe from home depot or lowes(its difficult too work with in my opinion). There ought to be a sprinkler supply house somewhere close to you. Some of them will sell to homeowners at a retail price, but you will get high quality material.

You will have better freeze protection with poly pipe-although you'll still need to blow out the system.

With poly pipe you can pull in curves very easily.

You may also find a contractor willing to pull the pipe for you.

Poly vs. PVC depends on your sprinkler design to some extent. If you have a run a mainline, I would run PVC for that. You can then run poly the rest of the way.

I didn't think to ask that question, but based on the replies I got, they don't seem too interested. I'll have to call some plumbing supply houses.

I think I'm gonn go with poly. But another question...when you run a long length and need to locate some sprinkler heads along that length, once the pipe is pulled there's no give to install a tee fitting. Are the saddle connectors a must, or can you get enough wiggle room to install a tee? Can you use saddle connectors on 100# poly? Will they disrupt the flow too much for the rest of the heads on that line?

John- I've never used saddle fittings, although they do seem popular. I've always used insert fittings. I just dig a 12" or so hole, cut the pipe, put on the clamps and wiggle in the fitting. Usually one section of the pipe will slide "fairly" easily to accomodate this. If that doesn't work also dig up for the head next in line. I'd guess thats 10 to 30' away(depending on sprays or rotors). Then, that section of pipe between the 2 heads ought to slide very easily making it easy to use insert fittings. Work your way down your zone in that manner and your last head will only need a elbow fitting.

Tony- I could help you with pulling a job. Once you do one its easy as heck.
grdmas@aol.com

I've noticed that the glue joints on 20' sections of PVC are ridiculously long. While the typical PVC fitting is on the order of 1/2" to 1-1/2" (depending upon pipe size) in length, these 20' sections of PVC have molded fittings for joining several pieces that are like 3"-4" long. That means that the stress on the joint is spread across a HUGE area, so I would guess that the joint would be strong enough for pulling in just a few minutes.